Got your TV on? Well, turn it off. Right now. And keep it off for the whole week (April 20-26), because this week, my friends, is Turn Off TV Week.

Let’s face it: We can all benefit from turning our attention away from Sponge Bob and reality television for seven days. Yes, it will be hard. But there’s an upside: You get to play more with your kids, read books, exercise, update your photo albums, visit with friends and neighbors, head into the great outdoors — you know, all the activities we sideline because there aren’t enough hours in the day. Turning off your boob tube will free up plenty of hours, though. And this is exactly what the Center for Screen-Time Awareness (CSTA) wants to see happen.

CSTA is “an international nonprofit organization, providing tools for people to live healthier lives in functional families and vibrant communities by taking control of the electronic media in their lives and not allowing it to control them.”

No more remote controls this week. Just you, controlling the fun you get to have with your loved ones — and don’t tell me you love all those contestants on “American Idol.” They don’t count. Not this week, anyway.

Photo by: (A3R) angelrravelor (A3R) on flickr

I’m wondering: How do you feel about electronics for kids — TV, computer, Wii, video games and, yes, that Nintendo DS that everyone seems to have? Leave me a comment and share your opinion, please.

The new show “In the Motherhood” starts tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC. It’s a newborn comedy you can relate to, say the folks who want you to watch. Those same folks want to hear your motherhood stories, and you know what? If they like what you share, your submission might just become the inspiration for a story. “Tell us your real-life experiences of being a mom: first words, first steps, carpools, crazy schedules and balancing it all,” reads this website. Check it out and tell your story now.

And take a peek at this video, featuring snippets from everyday moms and the stars of the show: Cheryl Hines, Megan Mulally and Jessica St. Clair.

If you watch “In the Motherhood” tonight, come on back and tell us all about it.

All kids must grow up, sad as it might be. Seems Nick Jr.’s Dora the Explorer is no exception. The little adventure girl, known for her bowl cut, talking backpack and kind of annoying squeaky songs, is now a tween. And some parents are not too happy about it.

Our dear Dora has morphed into a longer, leaner young thing with sleek leggings and flowing hair. Some think Dora is too sexy and that she won’t be a positive role model to the real little girls of the world. Only time will tell — the maybe-too-sexy Dora will launch in Fall 2009.

Take a look at the re-done Dora right here. And tell us: What do you think?

Photo by: Xurble on flickr

Turns out TV for kids might not be all bad. It taught 10-year-old Maddie Adams how to do the Heimlich maneuver, after all. And that Heimlich maneuver just happened to save her grandmother’s life.

Maddie learned the life-saving technique on Disney Channel’s “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody” and used it back in September when she realized her grandma needed some assistance. Says the 40-pound girl: “I was really glad that I did it quickly and I could get her to breath,” says Maddie. And grandma Jan says, “I’m eternally thankful. I mean, I will be because it’s amazing to me what she’s done for me, and I think we have a closer bond because of it.”

Last Thursday, little Maddie was honored for her heroics, when she was given the first ever Roderick Award of Courage. The award, named for a civil war horse that died in the battle of Thompson’s Station, came with a check for $1,000. Maddie plans to use it for college.

Of course we don’t promote parking your kids in front of the tube so they can learn life skills. But we do think it’s wise to prep your children for responding to emergency situations. Here, how to teach your young ones the Heimlich maneuver.

Photo by: Siti Saad on flickr